Spanning 113.3 miles, this drive from Tuscumbia to Birmingham is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete. It is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the University of North Alabama Highway, Heroes Highway, and East Lee Highway. Budgeting about $17 for fuel should cover your needs for this Southeast trek. Since the entire route stays within Alabama, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.6 miles from Tuscumbia, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University of North Alabama Highway
55.1 mi
1h 5m
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi
46m
East Lee Highway
6 mi
7m
I 65
3.6 mi
4m
South Woodmont Drive
0.9 mi
1m
5th Avenue North
0.5 mi
<1m
19th Street North
0.3 mi
<1m
South Dickson Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
University of North Alabama Highway
— 55.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscumbia, AL and Birmingham, AL.
1
Start on East 6th Street
107 ft·7 sec·East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto South Dickson Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·South Dickson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on South Woodmont Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·South Woodmont Drive
4
Turn left onto US 72
6.0 mi·7 min·East Lee Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157
55 mi·1 hr 5 min·University of North Alabama Highway
Toward Moulton, CullmanUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
7
Merge onto I 65
44 mi·46 min·Heroes Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
3.6 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 261AToward 17th Street North, DowntownUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Turn left onto Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
0.2 mi·22 sec·Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto 19th Street North
0.3 mi·34 sec·19th Street North
15
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
0.5 mi·50 sec·5th Avenue North
16
Turn right onto 24th Street North
46 ft·1 sec·24th Street North
17
Arrive at destination
24th Street North
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. There are no mandatory stops scheduled, so you can easily manage the two-hour-plus drive in one go if you prefer. Keep in mind that the local nature of the roads means you should anticipate varying speed limits throughout the journey. Given the $17 fuel estimate, filling up your tank before leaving Tuscumbia is a smart way to ensure you don't have to worry about stops along the way. Prioritize checking your route before you head out to navigate the turns on the University of North Alabama Highway confidently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.6 miles from Tuscumbia, AL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.6 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Birmingham, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tuscumbia, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tuscumbia, AL
This is one driving day of about 113.3 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Tuscumbia, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University of North Alabama Highway for about 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 111.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.1 mi into trip|~10m in|AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway toward Moulton, Cullman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Moulton, Cullman
8
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
106.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
107.3 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
8
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 261A
Toward 17th Street North, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.11 one way
$34.22 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.78
$37.57
premium
$4.56
$20.34
$40.67
diesel
$5.61
$25.02
$50.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.91
$4.53
EV Truck/SUV
45.3
0
$15.86
$7.25
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tuscumbia, AL
Morning
in Tuscumbia on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Morning
in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route only utilizes highways for about 3% of the journey. You will spend the most significant portion of your time on the University of North Alabama Highway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.1 miles. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, you should prepare for a more engaged driving experience compared to a high-speed freeway trek. The character of the road demands your attention, offering a steady pace that connects the two cities through regional landscapes.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.1 mi on University of North Alabama Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 113.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tuscumbia, AL and Birmingham, AL, road signs point toward Moulton, Cullman, Fultondale and Montgomery.
Tuscumbia is a small town in northwest Alabama near Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lakes, best known as the birthplace of the famous deaf-blind activist and author, Helen Keller.
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, and its cultural and economic nucleus. While it's best remembered as the site of protest, bombings, and other racial tumult during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, visitors to the Birmingham of today will find a pleasant green city of ridges, valleys, attractive views, and friendly, hospitable people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 113.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.1 miles on University of North Alabama Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Birmingham, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Birmingham, AL before heading back.
